A North Tyneside netball squad will be stepping onto the court in style thanks to a generous donation by Newcastle Building Society.

The company donated new strips to the 25 players to give them a boost in their up and coming matches.

The Netball Development Squad in North Tyneside helps youngsters improve their ball skills in a competitive environment.

Liz Vuyk, the squad coach said: "The donation from Newcastle Building Society has been an enormous help to us.

"Before we received the donation we really were in desperate need of new kit and many girls even had to share.

"The donation means we can now go out onto the court looking and feeling good, which is tremendous boost to everyone's morale and I'm sure it will show in our up and coming games."

Many of the squad's trainers are volunteers who rely on outside contributions to run the training programme.

Now each member of the squad is fully kitted out with skirts, sweatshirts and relevant bibs.

Pauline Owen, from the Newcastle Building Society said: "We have very strong links with the local communities in which we operate.

"As a local building society we feel it is very important to sustain and nurture local good causes like North Tyneside Development Squad."

Newcastle Building Society runs a community fund to help out grassroots projects in the area. It gives away #60,000 each year to worthy causes.

The North Tyneside Development Squad is one of more than 60 groups and charities across the UK who have recently received donations from the Newcastle-based building society.

Newcastle Building Society is waiting to hear from organisations in the North East who would like to be considered for funding. To apply for a donation contact the Community foundation on (0191) 222 0945.